Allah
The Arabic word for God. In Islam, the one God.
A LITTLE LANGUAGE HELP
Words you’ll meet along the way.
Simple definitions for a first encounter. These are learning summaries, not full legal or theological definitions.
Surah
A chapter of the Qur’an.
Ayah
A verse, or sign. Qur’an references use chapter:verse.
Salah
The prescribed prayer.
Zakah
An obligatory form of giving with specific rules.
Taqwa
Being mindful of Allah and seeking to act responsibly.
Sawm
Fasting; Ramadan fasting is one of the pillars of Islam.
Hajj
Pilgrimage to the Sacred House, required of those able to make it.
Jannah
Paradise, described in the Qur’an.
Barzakh
A barrier; in this context, the interval until resurrection.
Hadith
A report of the Prophet’s words, actions, or approvals. Reports must be evaluated for authenticity.
Editorial terminology definitionTafsir
Explanation and interpretation of the Qur’an. Read the text in context and distinguish interpretation from translation.
Editorial terminology definition